SHINTOISM

BY GROUP 9
WHAT IS SHINTOISM ?
Shintoism is a very local kind of religion in that focused in the
Land of Japan hence an “ethnic religion” that is not by the
missionary activities as to spread it outside Japan. Shintoism
espouses the belief that “ human beings” are basically good and
has no concept of original sin “ Unlike other religion , it has no
founder nor god and it practiced with the other religion such as
Buddhism and Daoism . This is belief in kami or spirits.
SYMBOL
The Torri Gate is the most known symbol for
Shintoism. It is a sacred gateway supposed to
represent a gate upon which the cockcrew on
the occasion when Amaterasu emerged from
the rock care and relighted the world. It
marks the entrance to shrine. It represent
the transition between the world of human
and the world of god and goddesses. It is
believe to help the visitors for their
interaction with the spirits by signify the
sacredness of the location.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
During the pre historic period in Japan animism was evident in
the agricultural affair of the people. Agricultural rites were
celebrated and all communal religions activities were focused on
objects or place believed to be inhabited by kami or spirits.
Later on adherent formulated rituals and stories about creation
regarding Japan and its natural elements, thereby creating by
their own sense of culture and spiritual worlds. One such story
is the “ story of creation ” which narrates the beginning of two
kami , Izanagi – no – Mikoto (male) and Izanami – no – Mikoto
(female). It was said that after Izanagi’s creative work on earth
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He left Izanami in lower world when he return from the lower
world he saw Izanami decomposed body, he was seized with
regret and said, ‘Having gone to Nay! A hideous and filthy
place, it is meet that I should cleanse my body from its
pollutions.’ He accordingly went to the plain of Ahagi at
Tachibana in Wodo in Hiuga of Tsukushi, and Purified
himself .Thereafter a Deity was produced by his washing his
left eye, which was called Amaterasu-no-Oho-Kami. Then he
washed his right eye, producing thereby a Deity who was
called Tsuki-yomi-no-Mikoto. Then he washed his nose,
producing thereby a God who was called Susa-no-Wo-no-
Mikoto. In all, there were three Deities. Then Izanagi-no-
Mikoto gave charge All the Deities. 5
After prehistoric period, kami living in some place were
gradually associated with the local clans, also known as “uji”
thus taking the name ujigami. A clan of Yamato region claimed
that they descended from Amaterasu , and the family was
recognized as the imperial house hold of Japan. From them on
indigeneous festivals and ceremonies became a inspirable from
government affairs.

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These festivities became known as matsurigoto (affairs of
religious festivals) but retained meaning to refer to
“government” today.
The term “Shinto” came from Shentao/Shendao” The term first
appeared in the Nihongi and Kojiki. It was used to In order to
help distinguish kami-no-michi ( Japanese Way of the Gods ),
from Butsudo ( Buddha-Tao). During the 6th century, with the
introduction of Buddhism. It was a period when there was a
coexistence of the of the foreign bodhisattva with indigeneous
family of kami.

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In fact, kami was seen as the transformation of Buddha
manifested in Japan to save all sentient beings. Shinto persisted
even when Buddhism and Confucianism were introduced, spread,
and became a major religion in Japan. During the reign of Prince
Shotoku ( 547-622), Buddhism was promoted in Japan, but it
never saw a total conversion of the Japanese people from
Shintoism to Buddhism, instead Buddhism was gradually
absorbed and mixed with local folk religions, mainly Shintoism.
The fusion can be seen, for example, in certain Shinto gods is
regarded as protector of Buddha. Another manifestation was the
formation of temple next to shrines, called jing-jo or temple
shrines. 8
During the Meiji Restoration, Shintoism was became completely
separated with Buddhism, which was banned and reorganized. It
was then Shintoism is became a official state religion. It was
during this period Japanese people were compelled to participate
in a manifestation of patriotism. It was only abolished as state
religion after the defeat of Japan in 1945, but followers of this
religion which increase with the total number of 80 million.

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SACRED SCRIPTURE
• Kojiki
is composed of three books, the first is the age of kami,
which narrates the mythology, while the second and third
book discuss the imperial lineage, narrating the events
concerning the imperial family up to death of the thirty third
ruler, Empress Suiko. The third book is concerned with
revolt and love stories of successive rulers Interwined in
song story format. The establishment of the three orders are
reflected in three books. Even though it was written At
onset of the spread of Buddhism
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The fact emperor that Emperor Genmei, to whom the kojiki
was presented Buddhism was not mention in the Kojiki.
•Nihongi
It represent the political purpose with folklores and myths.It
is believed to have been completed around 720 C.E. and
become a significant restructuring of Japan by the Yamato
rulers, even in naming the country as Nippon. It was
persented in court during the reign of Emperor Gensho and
its considered as Japan‘s first history which completed after
39 years and compiled Jimmu Tenno third son of Prince
toneri. It is composed of 30 books .
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WORSHIP and OBSERVANCES
Unlike other religion Shintoism has no weekly service,
instead of people visit Shrine at their own convenience.
Proper performance of tires and ceremonies are
important aspect of Shintoism. At shrine are normal
thing can be found in nature such as mountains, rivers,
tree, rock and etc. But later on they built shrine
dedicated To their deities.

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Shintoism Rite of Passage
1. Hasumiyamairi ( First Shrine Visit) - newborn children
are take to shrine to seek a protection from the kami ,
traditionally the newborn baby is taken by the grandmother
because the mother is deemed impure from childbirth, the
rituals take place on the second day After birth for a boy,
and third for a girl.
2. Schichi-go-san (seven-five-three)- festivals observed
Every 15th of November by boys For five boys and seven
years age, who visit to shrine to give thanks o the
protection provide by kami and ask for ahealth growth.
3. Adult’s Day(Seijin Shiki)-Observed every 15th of January 13
By the Japanese who had their 20th birthday the previous year by
visiting the Shrine to express their gratitude to the kami.
4. Wedding Rites – Patterned after the wedding of Crown
Prince Yoshihito and Princess Sado in 1900.
5.Funeral Rites – Most Japanese funerals are Buddhist in
nature, the funeral practices called ‘sosai’.

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Ritual Purification (Meditative Purification )
oMisoji or ablution it considered as ancient ceremonies
perform after the funeral all the family go to water to cleanse
themselves in purification in bath. It purpose to cleance the
body f minor contamination associated with dead.
oHarai or Exorcism- perform by a priest by swinging a
purification wand over the people and object to be exorcised.
oImi or Absention – Practices performed Impurity After the
purification rites , they ready to participate in rice wine and
other food To the Deities followed by presentation of music
and dance. 15
 TYPE OF WORSHIP
o At Home Kamidana – small altar ( Kali shelf ) inside of this
house where they perform the following rituals .
oAt Shinto Shrine – in this type of worship tree into shinto
shrines particularly the oldest and most revered ones have rope
tied to them signified reverence to the present of kami.
oMagical Charm and Amulet – One of the main attraction at
shrine is the sale and distribution of charm and amulet.
Shintoist believe that amulet provided a protection and source
magic. They carry personal and their homes and guarded by
magical charms in the form of lintel placard.
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most Japanese designation for charm is mamori, which they
believe it provide protection and may include a wide rang
object. Shimpu is refer to the magico-religious object
obtained at the Shinto shrines.
Season Festivals– Japan celebrated the numerous festival
called matsu since every shrine‘s kami or a seasonal and
historical event. These festival are often done with procession
with the figure of local kami carried through dashi or
decorated floats around town. Some of festivals are serene
and pensive while most are lively and loud, with people
playing drums and flute while on parade.
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BELIEF AND DOCTRINES
o Shintoism is a religion which revolves about the belief in kami
or spirits. According to the Japanese scholar, Motoori
Norinaga the concept of kami is difficult to explain, and even
the Shinto believers cannot provide a definition to kami.
oTo Norinaga, even the successive generation of emperors can
be called kami since for the ordinary people, they are far
separated, majestic, and worthy reverence. However the kami
is not exclusive to the nobility. For In every village and every
family can be considered as kami.
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even things such as thunders and echo can also considered as
kami, as well as animals such as tigers and wolves. Among the
deities considered as kami, were Izanagi, the sky father and
Izanami, the earth mother.
oIn Shintoism people regarded as superior beings and
everyone’s considered potential naming whose life on earth
is destined to be filled with blessings. In that sense
Shintoism can be considered have an optimistic view of
human nature .

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oShintoism has a concept of yao yoruzu no kami, or eight hundred
myriads of kami. Some of them are tutelary of deities of clan who
later elevated to tutelary of cities of their respective
communities while some have no direct connection with the
Shinto faith. Here are the most important kami in Japan.

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Concept of Pure and Impure
Unlike other religion, Shintoism doesn’t have a clear distinction
between what is right and wrong. However since its most
important concept is purity, there are acts or things are
considered as evil since they signify impurity. It is important to
Shintoism to maintain the physical, external and material purity.
For example blood is regarded as impure. Shintoism is
disapproved the pollution of blood. Women who menstruate is
considered as impure, as well as women after giving birth had to
be isolated for adefinite period of time. Even at present some
remotes area of Japan aforementioned women are prohibited
from living with their family and sharing meals.
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They built houses for women who have their period or have
giving birth are expected to live and cook their own food. They
called it “menstruation house” ( Taya) , visitation by men were
prohibited. In general the practice of purification are mainly
aimed at the removal of physical or external pollution, and had
nothing to do with spiritual purification. The concept of sin was
simply of physical or external nature which can easily purified
with necessary rituals. In fact the illness are seen caused by
natured and listed as a “sin” since they cause unpleasant
feeling in other people (leprosy), which made the kami to
dislike them.
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Being struck by a thunderbolt considered as a “sin” as well
as being bitten by insect. Having sexual relation with one‘s
and one’s child is also considered as “sin” . To compensate
for commiting the sin mentioned above they required to
make offerings with the deities.

Concept of Death
Death is the worst form of impurity in Shintoism. When a
person dies, his or her body are considered as most impure
thing .That’s why the family after perform the ritual bathing
in the river after the funeral. Also, it is believed that the
Shinto kami greatly dislike death, that those who have been
contacting with the dead are prohibited from participating 23
In the rites for 30 days after the contact with the dead body,
seven days after child birth and 5 days after contact with the
death of certain domestic animals. Furthermore those who visit
to the dead or participate in memorial services cannot visit the
Imperial Palace, and those who miscarried after more than a
month pregnancy cannot participate in the rite for a certain
number of days. Even the mere mention of death of the term
death was taboo at he Great Shrine of Ise and the Komo Shrine
in Kyoto.

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De/Virtue
The way to appease the kami or the spirits, according to Shinto
is through purification. Proper observance of ritual is necessary
in order to purify oneself and deserving the blessings of the
deities. Living harmony with nature, which inhabited by the kami
or spirits, is encourage. In Shintoist value the virtues of beauty,
truth, goodness and morality. Sincerity in everything that we do
is also value, for it to implies a pure heart. To achieve this
purity rituals often involve cleanse their body with water and it
is better if these activities are performed at the shrine.
Cleanliness is also valued by the Shintoist for it through
cleansing that purity can be achieved
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SUBDIVISIONS
Shinto Shrine or Jinja
Officially a coined by the Japanese government in 19 th century
when Shintoism gained state support and was recognized as
the state religion. Prior to this, the advent of Buddhism in
Japan in the 7th century, Buddhism was intertwined with
Shintoism, when Buddha and the bodhisattva were regarded as
kami. Later on the imperial government are started to purify
Shinto from all the Buddhist elements. In 19 th century Japan
was transformed to a modern nation and said the
transformation covered the political, economic, social and
religious aspect 26
It was then when Shinto Shrine became the state religion. As a
result, Shintoism became a vehicle for patriotism. Japan’s
divine or was emphasize on Japanese children. The Japanese
people had to attend and serve shrines, and consequently
shrine and priests were put under imperial control. However,
the defeat in World War II brought a major setback on Shinto,
yet it remained to play as significant part in Shinto.

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Sect Shintoism (Kyoha)
This type of Shintoism was recognized by the Imperial
government in the late 19th century referring to 133 organized
Shintoism. It developed in response to historical reality as an
administrative way of dealing with crystallization of Shinto
tradition to organized religious group. These 13 Sect Shinto
were designated by the government as “religious” along with
other faiths such as Buddhism and Confucianism. Their place of
worship were called “churches” to distinguish thee from the
shrine which under imperial control. Incidentally many of sect
were founded and led by women, which reflection of women‘s
prominent role in Japanese religion in ancient times . 28
Sect Shinto can be classified into five groups:
1. Pure Shinto Sects
2. Confucian Sects
3. Mountain Sects
4. Purification Sects
5. Faith Healing Sects

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Folk/Popular (Minzoku)
This type of Shinto often associated with superstition, magic
and common practices of the Japanese people. It includes
traditional practices, often best understood as Japanese folk
religion. It is a form of Shinto worship does not require a
priest or formal shrine, it is also known as Shinto which
people practice in their daily lives. It emphasized on
purification rituals as more physical and local. It is practiced
in connection with growing crops, major blessing and many
major stages of life such as birth and marriage.

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SELECTED ISSUES
oThe growth of Buddhism and association with Japanese military
build up during World War ll posed a threat to Shinto growth.
However Shinto survived and continue to flourish.
oShinto emphasize the importance of nature and present itself
as an ecological religion, there is a challenge in reconciling this
deal with Japanese commercial that goals led to deforestation.
oShinto lacks a strong institutional structure for spreading
outside of Japan or engaging with missionary work. However,
Japanese people carry their religious with practices with them
wherever they go. 31
oShinto associated with the Japanese government during World
War ll raises challenges regarding the divine status of the
Japanese emperor and how to address these question.

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END

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